October 10, 2007

I remember seeing the Globetrotters in Sydney as a kid. Good fun. I think the opponents were the "California Chiefs". Interestingly, there were some in the audience who thought the game was real. I guess these are the same people who think pro wrestling isn't fake, either.

I guess these are the same people who think pro wrestling isn't fake, either."It's still real to me dammit!". I'm a wrestling fan, but have known it was pre-determined since I was 5. The word "fake" annoys me. But then I've known people in the business all my life, and know at least one wrestler who was crippled taking part in this "fake" activity. Amuses me when people call wrestling fake as I'd love to see them spend five minutes in the ring with Terry Funk or Necro Butcher. Then we'll see how fake you think it is once you've been punched full in the face a few times... Globetrotters and wrestling share a lot in common actually. It's an athletic performance where the outcome has been predetermined, and most likely the actual event contains a lot of on the spot improvisation. And yet the Globetrotters are venerated, and wrestling derided.

I guess these are the same people who think pro wrestling isn't fake, either. "I guess these are the same people who think pro wrestling is a legitimate sporting contest, rather than a form of popular entertainment using a sports format." Sorry, Drood.

Bill: Let me get this straight: you took all the money you made franchising your name and bet it against the Harlem Globetrotters? Krusty: Oh, I thought the Generals were due! [TV shows a Globetrotter spinning the ball as Generals watch]Krusty:He's spinning the ball on his finger! Just take it, take the ball. [the Globetrotter kicks it into the net behind him]Krusty:That game was fixed. They were using a freakin' ladder, for gods' sakes.

But then I've known people in the business all my life, and know at least one wrestler who was crippled taking part in this "fake" activity. People get injured acting in movies, too. That doesn't make them documentaries. No one's disputing that pro wrestlers and the Globetrotters are talented, make sacrifices, or have real talent for what they do.

"I guess these are the same people who think pro wrestling is a legitimate sporting contest, rather than a form of popular entertainment using a sports format." Which is why wrestling is called "Sports Entertainment" these days. The outcome's are generally scripted but that doesn't mean getting tattooed by a steel chair to the cranium or falling off a 25 foot ladder thru two tables still doesn't hurt.

Interestingly, there were some in the audience who thought the game was real. Now wait just a cottin' pickin' minute. If I'm to hear you correctly, you seem to be implying that there might not be a legitimate game going on? I'll bet it was the officials. I've heard a lot of bad things about basketball refs nowadays. Say it 'aint so, Meadowlark.